Shoppers in Wokingham are determined to have a cracking Christmas by spending more cash than ever this yuletide.

Shoppers in Wokingham are determined to have a cracking Christmas by spending more cash than ever this yuletide.

The upturn in trade comes despite economists' predictions of a looming worldwide recession.

And financial analysts say low interest rates could be the reason for the spending spree, with mortgage holders having more disposable income than in previous years.

The run up to Christmas has been a hectic one for businesses — shops were packed even before the start of advent, and workers and commerce experts say things will only get busier.

Mary Flavelle, spokesman for the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce, said after months of firms being forced to lay off staff, it was nice to see them end the year on a high.

She said: "Some stores and shopping centres are reporting a 30 per cent increase on people walking through their doors and parting with cash — the tills are certainly ringing out for Christmas.

"It's all because people have got more spending money and businesses are going to have a very good Christmas.

"For the people too who were effected with the wave of redundancies, after they have got over the shock, disappointment and anger of it all, they can look at their careers in the New Year. My heart goes out to these people at this time of year.

"But in the face of adversity, people have come out and backed businesses in the area.

"Business by surviving have done well and are showing signs of improvements —when you consider again the redundancies and especially the shadow cast by the events of September 11.

"The Christmas success will see businesses look to the future."

Joseph Chang, franchise holder of Snappy Snaps in Peach Street, said he was pleased with the way Christmas trade was going at his shop considering it is relatively new to the town.

He said: "Business was quite quiet in early October and November, but it has picked up since last week. We've been quite busy and our sale of photo frames has been the most popular.

"We've only been open six or seven months, so it is our first Christmas but business seems to be quite good this year."

Oxfam shop volunteer Chris Snell said Christmas trade for the Peach Street store had been up on last year.

She said: "We're very pleased because we've had lots of people come in in the run-up to Christmas — we're a third up on last year.

"We've employed some quite aggressive selling methods. We've had lots of things on sale price and we really know our customers so, for example, we put a really good price on our candles and textiles.

"Sales have been good because our items are really good value and there's a mix of sale goods as well as donated things.

"The Fair Trade goods are selling very well."

But Robert Turner of John Wood Sports, said trade was not fantastic and certainly not 30 per cent up.

He said: "I would say our trade here has been reasonable to steady — certainly not 30 per cent up, that's for the big stores.

"But for us the boom is always late. To be honest, it's the last 10 days before Christmas when people really start to come in."